William de Stuteville, baron of Burford

WILLIAM DE STUTEVILLE, BARON OF BURFORD

On 23 November 1219 Margaret Say married her third and final husband, William Stuteville, who was to hold Richard's Castle and Burford until his death in 1259, much to the eventual chagrin of Margaret's son and heir, Hugh Mortimer. William's career as Lord of Burford does not seem to have been very eventful, and we can expect little capital was expended on the borough or castle as it was to be held only for William's lifetime and was repeatedly claimed by William's son-in-law, Hugh Mortimer. By holding the castles of Richard's Castle, Stapleton, and maybe Bleddfa, William Stuteville was a marcher baron and as such it is no surprise to find Robert Bund receiving 6d from the king on 1 October 1226 for going to visit Hugh Mortimer (of Wigmore) and William Stuteville.

At Easter 1242, Hugh, the son of Robert Mortimer, launched a determined attempt to gain his mother's lands, probably on the occasion of her death. The attempt failed, but in 1243 Hugh was granted his mother's hereditary lands of Homme (Hamme) and Clifton on Teme in Worcestershire and Cascob (Cascope) in Radnorshire as a settlement by his father-in-law. It is interesting that no castle was mentioned at Homme and it may be presumed that the old motte of Richard Fitz Scrope set in the now peaceful Worcestershire had long been derelict. The same is probably true of Tenbury, or Burford motte. the town of Tenbury Wells offering far better accommodation to the Lord of Burford than an ancient and obsolete castle.

William Stuteville died before 20 May 1259, when Sir Hugh Mortimer, aged 40, inherited Richard's Castle and the BURFORD BARONY.

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WILLIAM de Stuteville of Cowesby, Yorks. and Gressenhall, Norfolk. As William, son of Osmund de Stuteville he confirmed to Fountains abbey the gift of half a carucate of land in Newsham in the parish of Kirby Wiske. In 1216 he occurs as a knight of the earl of Warenne. On 5 Nov 1219 the king gave to him in marriage Margery (also known as Margaret), daughter and heir of Hugh de Say, and widow of Hugh de Ferrers d.s.p. 1204 and Robert de Mortimer d 1219, obtaining in her right the honour of Richard's Castle, Herefordshire, which he held until his death in 1259. On 8 May 1229 he was granted a yearly fair and a weekly market at his manor at Gressenhall. In 1232 as one of the barons of the Marches, he delivered up Osmund his son as hostage for his fidelity. In Jan 1256-7 he confirmed to Castle Acre priory all the gifts and confirmations of Osmund de Stuteville, his father, and Isabel his mother and of Wimer, Roger his son and all his ancestors. The writs for his inquisitions post mortem are dated 20 May 1259 when Sir Hugh de Mortimer, son of Margery, was found to be heir to property in Shropshire and Worcestershire which William held by courtesy of England. Issue: -Robert described as Robert de Estoteuill', lord of Cowesby, son of William de Estoteuill' in 1270 released to Fountains abbey his right in land and rent in Newsham. He was possibly married to Joan, da. and heir of William Talbot of Gainesburgh, Lincs. He d.s.p shortly before 20 Aug 1275 when his heir was found to be his nephew Jordan Foliot. -Osmund. Named as son of William de Stuteville of Richard's Castle, was one of the barons of the March who delivered hostages in June 1233. -MARGERY. Married Sir Richard Foliot of Norton and Fenwick, Yorks. and Grimston and Wellow, Notts. Their son, Jordan, was found to be heir of Margery's brother Robert de Stuteville. PRO E42/236 Jordan son of Sir Richard Foliot to Sir William his brother: Grant of his land in Tilney and Islington (Ilsington), [in Tilney], late of Robert de Stotevill his uncle: [Norf.] [Before 4 Edw I]

[Sources: Clay, 'Early Yorkshire Charters' v.8 p.35-37, 143 ; Sanders, 'English Baronies: a study of their origin and descent 1086-1327', p.75 ; CIPM v.1 no.439 ; CIPM v.2 no.133 ; CP V :539; Blomefield, County of Norfolk, v.8 p.201-203; v.8 p.512]

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